Because I’m a massive nerd, I’ve slowly become familiar with each of the distinct marks of power armor that have come about through 30k and 40k. Each armor mark has its own interesting lore, but I’m here to give a quick rundown of the most prominent physical features.
This way, you might have fun recognizing what bits a set of 40k artificer armor is made of, or be able to easily identify what a 30k officer is wearing under all his gilding and fancy robes. Read on if you have too much time on your hands, and want to lie to yourself that you’re learning something useful!
Mk. II Crusade
Simplistic bucket-helm, usually with only one eye-slit
Turbine-style clunky backpack
Weird layered armor on the torso and legs
Knobbly circle-shaped knees and elbows
Exposed cabling on thighs and stomach
Thick, riveted pauldron trim
Lots of rivets overall
Armored crotch-flap to protect the Emperor’s jewels
Mk. III Iron
Even more rivets, holy crap
Trim on every panel, also the panels are more solid
Pauldron trim now swoops up to protect the head
More knightly helm, with two eyes and pointier front
No gaps in front of armor
Bigger crotch-flap because we’re getting serious
Mk. IV Maximus
Optimus Prime-style fancy helmet
Much smoother, simpler panels
The “bending over’s for losers” T-shaped cuirass
Round-jet backpack, with small jets
Trapezoid knee-pads
Skinny pauldron trim
Mk. V Heresy
Heavy metal studs on fucking everything
Simple, flexible plates
Exposed cabling on chest and legs again
Bulky, round-jet backpack
Pauldrons can look like whatever, but usually have studs
Round kneepads
Super angry face with weird cheeks
Tends to have bits from other marks mixed in the most
Mk. VI Corvus
Sneaky-beaky pointy face
Round-jet backpack with tiny jets again
Kneepads connected to greaves
Really simply plates, sometimes with studs
Shoulders either have skinny trim or no trim
More protected torso
Did I mention the beak?
Mk. VII Aquila
Classic marine armor, smooth and simple
Bulky, round-jet backpack
Round, disconnected knees
Simple pauldron trim, but it’s there, y’know?
Angry face take 2: now built competently
Armored stomach, no exposed cables
Mk. VIII Errant
Aquila with bits on, such as that fancy neck-guard
